The Ministry of International Relations and CooperationThe Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation

The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation (formerly Ministry of Foreign Affairs), was established at Namibia’s independence in 1990.The Ministry is entrusted with the primary function of formulating, promoting and executing Namibia’s foreign policy and the conduct of Namibia’s international relations.

The foundation and guide for the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation is the Constitution, which defines all aspects of state power in Namibia.

Article 96 of the Constitution stipulates five general guidelines which underpin the Government's commitment to actively promote friendly and beneficial relations and co-operation with other nations, and also to foster, in concert with them, the maintenance of the rule of law, peace, security, social justice and economic welfare.

The five guidelines which are contained in the Constitution are:

Adopt and maintain a policy of non-alignment;

Promote international co-operation, peace and security;

Create and maintain just and mutually beneficial relations among nations;

Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations;

Encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.

Based on Article 96 of the Namibian Constitution, the Government of Namibia has already identified key strategic foreign policy goals and objectives to be pursued by the Ministry, and at times, in conjuction with the relevant Ministries, offices and agencies. The key strategic foreign policy goals are as follows:

Promotion and protection of Namibian's sovereign, territorial intergrity, national security and social well-being;

Promotion and enhancement of Namibian's prosperity through economic growth and sustainable development;

Promotion of Namibian's and African's standing and influence in world affairs;

Protection of the welfare of Namibian citizen abroad; and

The provision of professional and appropriate service to the Government and Private inistitutions and individuals with interests abroad.

In line with the above, the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation is, therefore, the administrative machinery responsible for the management of the foreign policy of the Republic of Namibia. Its activities and functions are geared towards the formulation, co-ordination and smooth functioning of the policies of Namibia in so far as they involve relations, bilateral and multilateral, with other countries and international organizations.